Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-24
ABATrLE WITH TI;E PIRATES.
MaryIand's oyster Nays "Galiant
Work Among the DrecEers

Baltimore special to the World says:
The pirates OF the Chesapeake bay made
things lively for the State navy again
last night. 4 fleet of schooners and
PUNCHES returned TO the scene OF Mon
DAVIS sl1irmish ready for fight, but they
were ANONYMOUSLY routed, and one Of
their vessels was seized as prize and Is
now in ANNAPOLIS harbor. When the
officers OF the steamer Governor Hamll-
ton reported having been fired upon
Commodore J. II. PlOwman determined
20 take immediate steps 10 suppress the
lavless oystermen. The Governor Ham
iltou is built on the model of a gentle
mans private yacht, but there are two
other steamers in the "navy" which are
fitted ont as fighters. These are the
Governor Thomas and the Governor Me
Lane, sister ships of seventy-two tons
each, which are exceedingly staunch and
able to plough the water Mt the rate OF
fourteen knots an hour.
Just before dusk last evening the Gov
ernor Hamilton dropped anchor about a
mile OF Swan Point, the mouth of Ches-
ter river and the scene Of Monday night
attack. The moon was out, but ITS rays
were continually ObscGred 10y heavy
clouds. 4 fleet OF the pirates vessels
rode at anchor at a distance Of half
mile. Shortly after darkness had settled
over the bay the Thomas glided noise
lesslv past the Hamilton and took up her
position in the shelter of the mouth OF
Chester river. She carried no lights and
her approach had not been observed 10y
the ovstermen. 1t was believed that the
Hamilton would be again attacked, and
then the Thomas was 10 swoOp down on
her unsuspecting assailants.
Commodore PlOwman was aboard the
Thomas. winch carries a crew OF
twelve men armed with Winchester re-
peating rifles. The Hamilton was also
well equipped. Everything was quiet
on the water till nearly midnight Then
the lookout aboard the Hamilton heard
the clanking OF anchor-chains IN the
vicinity of the oystermen, and few
minutes later the red and green lights OF
the fleet began silently to draw near
All hands were Immediately piped up
and orders we're hastily given. The little
steamer weighed anchor and her whistle
blew two shrill blasts that were respond
ed TO bv her consort. She headed
straight Tor the approaching lights, and
they separated. Captain Turner singled
out one OF them and started IN pursuit.
There was strong breeze blowing and
the fying schooner crowded on every
hit of canvas she could carry, but the
Hamilton gradually gained upon her
until they were neck and neck and not
one hundred yards apart The captain
was ordered TO heave TO, but paid no
attention till volley was fired across her
how. Then he weakened and the hslnil-
ton ran in close 10 her, covering hc1
nilot with a rifle, and notified the entire
crew that they were under arrest. A
line WAS thrown TO her. but she refused
10 take il. and man had to be placed
aboard. The prize proved To he the
schooner Shilop, Captain Frank Egan,
~ baltimore. The bow Of the Hamilton
was slightly injured III boarding the Shl-
lop.
While the Hamilton had been engaged
in the capture the Thomas was enjoying
an exciting chase after two other
schooners. They secured the best wind
by heading across the bay to the north
east, aud when they found that their
pufsuer was gaming on them they put
out their lights and separated. One OF
them was chased 10 the mouth Of the
Guupowder river, distance of over ten
miles, but She had too good a start and
too fair a wind 10 permit Of her being
overtakcn before she was safe in shallow
water. The prize schooner was towed 70
! Annapolis anu placed under guard FoI
4 the next few days Que OF the larger
steamers OF the &" navy" will be stationed
= at Swan Point nightly, and the pirates
are too wise 10 attempt an attack. The
Mci.auc WAS on duty there las. night,
and the Hamilton YVES given an easy berth
further down the bay. The Thomas pat
into this pom late this evening FOR coal.
The Wortd correspondent, VINO had
made the trip with her, learned some ia.
teresting facts frorn Commodore Plow.
man. "1hese pirates, said he, "arG
tough lot, and want 10 get oil they can
lay hands on. They don't believe Ia,
Legislature has any right 70 exempt any
OF the oyster-grounds, and argue thai
the waters Of the State are free to al